Omona Wapi

Description

EDITORIAL REVIEWS International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions. AMAZON.COM One of the more memorable and least anticipated collaborations in Congolese music, this early-1980s production joins Falstaffian guitar legend Franco Luambo Makiadi (1938-89) with Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940- ), the famed band leader and soukous pioneer. Where Franco fused traditional music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, the prolific Tabu Ley used a variety of international genres (disco, reggae, etc.) to rev up the regional style. Rivals during much of their respective careers, Franco and Rochereau combine their talents here for a record that's brimful of Franco's sinuous and rippling guitar lines, Rochereau's sweet high-tenor vocals, solid rolling rhythmic support, sporadic horns, and some of Africa's best backing vocalists. A short album at 33 minutes, its four tracks begin with a rousing celebration of the summit meeting itself. --Richard Gehr